System, computer program product and method for managing documents

ABSTRACT

A system, method and computer program product for managing documents are disclosed. The system includes a document manger configured to receive job information from a remote user via a network, the job information being related to a job performed on a document. The document manager can generate billing information based on the job information; and transmit the billing information to an application service provider (ASP) providing a service on the document. The document manager can also transmit the information to the ASP. The document manager can receive login information from the user, and verify the login information. The document manager can generate a job profile based on the login information, and transmit the job profile to the user. The image processing apparatus used in this system, and the method performed by such an image processing apparatus, are also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional of and claims the benefit of priorityfrom U.S. application Ser. No. 10/116,162 filed Apr. 5, 2002. The entirecontents of each of the above application are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to methods, computer-based systems andcomputer program products for managing documents, in particulardocuments stored to, or retrieved from, application service providers.

2. Discussion of the Background

A system for storing and retrieving documents to and from applicationservice providers (ASPs) is disclosed in co-pending application Ser. No.09/684,965, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated byreference. As explained in that document, an ASP is an entity, typicallya company, that offers users (individual customers, companies,corporations, organizations, etc. . . . ) access over a network, such asthe Internet, to applications and related services would otherwise haveto be located on the user's local computer. For example, ASPs canprovide searchable databases of legal, medical, financial, educational,scientific, or marketing documents. In this system for managingdocuments, a computer based document manager is connected to users(including for example multi function product “MFPs”, e.g., printers,scanners, digital copiers, fax machines, or digital cameras) via anetwork (e.g., the Internet) and to ASPs via a network (e.g., theInternet).

The document manager is configured to receive data from a user, receivedata from an ASP based on the user input, transform the received data insome desired way, and output the transformed data stream to the user.The data sent by the user to the document manager can include adocument, a request to transfer a document from the user to an ASP,and/or a request to retrieve a document from an ASP. The data sent bythe ASP to the document manager can include a document, a URL, and/orbilling information.

For example, the document manager allows a user to store a document atthe ASP. The document manager may be in a partnership with the ASPs toprovide storage at the ASPs for documents of users, i.e. customers ofthe document manager. For instance, a user may decide to store sensitivelegal documents, insurance contracts, or digital certificates on a localstorage device for a predetermined period of time, and have thedocuments protected from loss, theft, fire, disaster, etc. . . . bystoring them at an ASP, which may provide better protection for thesecured documents. In this case, the user benefits from the ASP'sknow-how for handling and protecting secured documents. The ASP cancharge a fee for the storage. The document manager can include this feewith other fees (e.g., from other ASPs) in a unified bill for thebenefit of the user.

Such a network-based document management system, also referred to as a“Document Mall,” gives its users secure access to their documents andfiles from anywhere on the network, from anywhere in the world when thenetwork is the Internet. The system enables users to collaborate withcolleagues and share documents around the corner or around the globe.

The co-pending patent application Ser. No. 09/795,438 discloses an imageforming apparatus providing user-interfaces to permit an operator toconveniently interact with ASPs and with a document manager, such asthose disclosed in previously mentioned Ser. No. 09/684,965, the entirecontent of application Ser. No. 09/795,438 is hereby incorporated byreference. This system permits an operator to take advantage of theservices offered by the document manager, such as document storage atASPs and document retrieval from ASPs, by interacting conveniently viamenus displayed on an image forming apparatus, such as an MFP. Forexample, the operator may request the document manager to store adocument at an ASP by inputting a storage request. The MFP scans thedocument to be stored and sends the document to the desired storagelocation using a menu displayed at the MFP. The operator may alsorequest the document manager to retrieve a document from an ASP byinputting a retrieval request and keywords to find the desired documentusing a menu displayed at the MFP.

The above systems provide advantages with respect to billing, e.g., bygenerating a unified bill from charges of different ASPs. These systems,however, do not provide much flexibility in terms of how the charges arecomputed. In these systems, the ASPs might charge the document manager afixed flat fee for their services, and the document manager may chargeits users a fixed flat fee for its services. Such procedures createlittle incentive for the document manager to promote the use of aparticular ASP among its existing clients, nor does it create muchintra-network competition among already affiliated ASPs. Such proceduresdo not provide ASPs with much information about their users, such astheir needs and habits. The ASPs therefore cannot use such informationto improve their services, nor to effectively market their services.

A number of conventional Internet services, providing web services andweb contents, are based on a charge per connection time. Another methodof charging is based on the transmission data amount, such as packetspecific charge in wireless cellular telephone systems. Theseconventional billing systems, however, are not ideal for a documentmanagement service in part because they cannot take into account theservices related to the processing of the documents. Another billingmethod includes manually inputting job information into a computer togenerate billing information. This manual method, however, isburdensome, inefficient and prone to errors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to solve theabove-noted problems and improve upon the noted inefficiencies.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system, amethod, and a computer program product for managing documents, whichprovides information about the customer's use of the system.

To achieve these and other objects, the present invention provides acomputer based system wherein a document manager receives data from theuser and transmits data to the ASPs. In particular, the document managerreceives job information from an MFP relating to a job performed by theMFP on a document (e.g., scanning, printing). The document manager cangenerate and transmit billing information to the ASP based on this jobinformation and/or transmit the job information to the ASP. The ASP cangenerate a bill and consider the information received from the documentmanager to improve services, develop new services, and market theirservices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall system configurationaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the functional relationshipbetween various elements according to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a document manager and a useraccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 4A-B show a flowchart for a method of managing documentsimplemented by a user/image forming apparatus according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of a method of managing documents implementedby a document manager according to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of a method of managing documents implementedby an ASP according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an image forming apparatusaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of an image forming apparatusaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is block diagram illustrating a device capable of implementingthe document manager according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is schematic representation of a device capable of implementingthe document manager according to the present invention.

FIGS. 11-17 are illustrations of screens displayed on an image formingapparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 shows examples of job profiles according to one embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 19 shows examples of log jobs maintained by a document manageraccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 shows examples of billing parameters used to generate chargesaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 21A-B show charge matrices for generating charges based on jobprofiles according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 22A-B show charge matrices for generating charges based on jobparameters according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designateidentical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 isa block diagram illustrating a system for managing documents accordingto the present invention. The system includes a network 50 thatinterconnects at least one, but preferably a plurality of ASPs 10-40, adocument manager 60, and at least one user 70, but preferably aplurality of users 70, 72, 74 and 76 connected to the document manager60 via a network 55. The users 70, 72, 74 and 76 are thus remote userswith respect to the document manager 60. The networks 50 and 55 arepreferably the Internet, but can also be a local area network, a widearea network, any type of network such as an intranet, an extranet, or acombination thereof. An extranet may be used to provide controlledaccess to external users, for example through the Internet. How theusers 70 and the document manager 60 can be connected to the Internet 50and 55 is well-known in the art and is explained for example, in part 38of “How Computers Work”, by Ron White, Que Corporation, pps. 340-349,September, 1999, ISBN: 0-7897-2112-0, the entire content of this bookbeing hereby incorporated by reference. Other communications links forthe networks 50 and 55, such as a virtual private network, or a wirelesslink, may be used as well.

As shown in FIG. 1, the user 70 (and similarly users 72, 74 and 76)includes an image processing apparatus 90, such as multi-functionprinter (MFP), connected to the network 55. The image processingapparatus can be either directly connected to the network 55 or viaanother device such as a computer. The user 70 (and similarly users 72,74 and 76) can also include a PC 80, a server 85 which can provideaccess to a group ware database (not shown), a printer, a local storagedevice, a medium drive, or a combination of such devices. The users 70,72, 74 and 76 can also include other multifunction devices such as theRicoh eCabinet™.

As shown in FIG. 1, the user 70 (and similarly users 72, 74 and 76) caninteract (exchange data) with the document manager 60 via thenetwork/Internet 55, so as to benefit from a number of services providedby the document manager 60, which are described in detail in Ser. No.09/684,965, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated byreference. For example, the user 70 can provide the document manager 60with a request for storing at an ASP 10 a document scanned by the MFP90, as described in detail in Ser. No. 09/795,438, the entire content ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference. In a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, the remote user 70 can provide the documentmanager 60 with job information related to a job performed on a documentby the image processing apparatus included in the remote user.

For example, the remote user 70 can transmit to the document manager 60job information such as the number of pages scanned or printed, thenumber of documents scanned or printed, the scanning/printing resolution(e.g., 200, 400, 600, 1200 dot per inch), the scan/print mode (Text,Gray, Scale, Photo, Text&Photo), the size of the paper for the document,the color selection (selected by the operator and/or automaticallyselected by the MFP 90), the compression ratio of the image data (e.g.,fine, normal, economy), the image data format, i.e., the compressionmethod of the image data (e.g., Bitmap, PDF, JPEG, JPEG2000). Using thisjob information, the document manager 60 can update a job log for thatuser. The document manager 60 can generate billing information based onthe job performed. The user 70 can also provide the document manager 60with other information such as user I.D.s, passwords, the name of theperson scanning or printing the document, the name of the author of thedocument, the date and time of the scanning or printing, the version ofthe document, the serial number, model name and/or location of the imageprocessing apparatus 90 of the user 70.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the functional relationshipbetween an MFP 90, a document management 60 and ASPs 10-40 according toone embodiment of the present invention. While FIG. 2 shows an MFP asthe device 90, any other image processing device can be used for thepresent invention. As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the MFP 90 cansend to the document manager 60 user login information in a firsttransmission 100. For example, the operator of the MFP 90 can enter ausername, a password, an ID number, and/or account information into theMFP 90 using its control panel.

An example of a control panel compatible with the present invention isdescribed in detail in Ser. No. 09/795,438, the entire content of whichis hereby incorporated by reference. In that document, the control panelincludes interactive menus displayed on a display screen of the MFP 90permitting an operator of the MFP 90 to interact with the documentmanager (also referred to as the “Document Mall”). The control panel ofthe MFP 90 can include a display using functions such as basic HTTP orFTP. For example, the display can use a Web browser program. Theoperator can also select an affiliate ASP 10 using a menu displayed onthe MFP 90 control panel. The selected ASP 10 can be part of the logininformation. The MFP 90 can also transmit to the document manager 60 aspart of the login information the MFP's serial number, location, and/ormodel name.

Two specific, non-limiting examples of display screens are shown inFIGS. 11-12. FIG. 11 shows an initial display screen 1100 with a field1110 on which the MFP 90 can display text and graphics, such asinformation, instructions, advertisement, promotions, etc. The textlines shown in the field 1110 can be touch sensitive function keys thatallow an operator to select certain operations. A field 1120 displaysfive touch sensitive function keys 1130-8, which include a loginfunction key 1130. If the operator of the MFP 90 touches function key1130, the MFP 90 displays a display screen 1200 shown in FIG. 12.Alternatively, the operator may touch function keys 1132-6 to scan ande-mail a document, or key 1138 to display the job log of MFP 90.

Using display screen 1200, the operator can select to enter his username, a password, an account number. For example, the operator can enterhis user name, a password, an account number using the text-input fields1215, 1225 and 1235, respectively. The text-input fields 1215, 1225 and1235 can be activated by touching the function key 1130. Alternatively,the text-input fields 1215, 1225 and 1235 can be activated by touchingthe function keys 1210, 1220 and 1230, respectively. After touching eachof these touch keys, the MFP 90 displays a touch panel keyboard (notshown) so that the operator can enter individual letters and characters.Once the operator has entered this information, he can touch thefunction key 1240 to login with the document manager 60. Alternatively,the operator may chose to exit at any time by touching the function key1250.

The document manager 60 can verify the user login information to ensurethat the operator is authorized to use the system. For example, thedocument manager 60 can compare the user login information against datastored on a database maintained on the document manager 60. Afterverification, the document manager 60 can connect the MFP 90 to anaffiliate ASP 10, or can transmit a list of ASPs available for thatauthorized operator, generated based on the operator's logininformation. The document manager 60 may also select a list of servicesand job profiles available (further discussed below) for that operator.As shown in FIG. 2, the document manager 60 can transmit theverification results, the connection results, and/or the selected listof services and job profiles to the MFP 90 in a second transmission 200.The MFP 90 can display the list of available services and job profiles,for example using screen 1300 shown in FIG. 13. This display screen 1300prompts the operator of the MFP 90 to select among the servicesavailable. For example, the services available can include but are notlimited to:

Secure Scan to Web

Document Archiving

Document Print & Delivery

In FIG. 13, the text lines “Secure Scan to Web,” “Document Archiving,”and “Document Print & Delivery” can be touch sensitive function keysthat the operator can touch to select a certain service. After selectingone of these options, the MFP 90 can display on screen 1300 the list ofASPs available for that authorized operator. The operator can thenselect one of these ASPs, for example by touching the screen where theASP to be selected is displayed.

The “Secure Scan to Web” service permits the operator of the MFP 90 toscan a document and securely store the document at an ASP 1040. Thisservice provides storage of documents at a location that is relativelyeasy to access. For example, the document can be stored “on site,” e.g.,on the hard drive disk of the ASP's Web site. Under this service, theoperator can readily access the document, for example after a simplepassword verification.

The “Document Archiving” service permits the operator of the MFP 90 toscan a document and securely archive the document at an ASP 10-40. Thisservice provides storage of documents at a remote location, or“off-site, for example on a CD-R, or a DVD+RW in a disk changermechanism on the ASP's Web site. This option is well suited fordocuments that need to be archived, but that are not frequently, orrepeatedly accessed.

The “Document Print & Delivery” service permits the operator of the MFP90 to search for a document, for example within a company's centraldocument repository. Under this service, the operator may request tohave the document downloaded to the MFP 90 for viewing and/or printing.Alternatively, the operator may request to have the document printed bythe ASP, or its agents, professionally finished (optional) and deliveredto the operator.

After the operator selects one of the listed services, the MFP 90 candisplay a screen with a selection of job profiles on the control panel.FIG. 14 shows an example of a touch sensitive display screen 1400 thatdisplays a list of job profiles for the secure scanning service. Theoperator of the MFP 90 can select one of these scanning job profilesbased on the operator's needs. The selection can be performed bytouching one of the text lines displayed on the screen 1400.

Similarly, FIG. 15 shows an example of a touch sensitive display screen1500 that displays a list of job profiles for the archiving service. Theoperator of the MFP 90 can select one of these archiving job profiles,as appropriate. Again, the selection can be performed by touching one ofthe text lines displayed on the screen 1500.

FIG. 16 shows an example of a touch sensitive display screen 1600 forthe document Print & Delivery service. The display screen 1600 displaysa list of libraries available to the user and from which the user candownload or request a document. The operator may also search for alibrary not listed on the display screen 1600. Other examples of displayscreens for the document Print & Delivery service include screens thatpermit the operator to input search criteria for the document to beprinted and delivered. Examples of search criteria are document name,author name, key-words, date of creation of the document, etc.

The Print & Delivery service is especially advantageous for purchasingdocuments or web contents over the Internet. For example, the operatorcan search and download or print patents, credit history information,online novels, etc. FIG. 17 shows another example of a touch sensitivedisplay screen 1700 for the document Print and Delivery service. Thedisplay screen 1700 displays a list of Print & Delivery optionsavailable to the operator of the MFP 90. As shown in FIG. 17, theoperator may select to have the document printed directly by the MFP 90,or have the document printed by the ASP (or its agent) and delivered.The operator can select a delivery schedule (e.g., first or second daydelivery) available to the operator of the MFP 90. The operator can alsoselect a finishing option, e.g., a book binding, a professional finish,or other options.

As shown in FIGS. 11-17, the MFP 90 can reserve a portion of the displayscreens (e.g. a top portion) to display system messages. For example,the system message can include system maintenance notices, errormessages for the system, general information from the document manager60, news and information about the document manager 60, not necessarilyspecific to any ASPs.

After the operator of the MFP 90 selects a job profile from one of thedisplay screens 1400-1700, the MFP 90 sets its parameter to perform thejob in accordance with the job profile. If the job to be performedincludes the scanning of a document by the MFP 90, the MFP 90 cantransmit the scanned document(s) to the ASP 10 in a third transmission300 (FIG. 2). If the job to be performed includes requesting downloadinga document or retrieving a document for printing, the MFP 90 cantransmit the information necessary to locate the document in the thirdtransmission 300. Alternatively, the transmission 300 of the documentscan be performed either via the document manager 60 or directly to theASP 10.

The MFP 90 can transmit the job information related to a job performedto the document manager 60 in a fourth transmission 400 (FIG. 2). Asmentioned above, the job information can include for example the numberof pages scanned or printed, the number of documents scanned or printed,the scanning/printing resolution, the size of paper for the document,the color selection, the compression ratio of the image data, the imagedata format. Using this job information, the document manager 60 canupdate a job log (further discussed below) and can generate billinginformation based on charge rates. The charge rates can be contractuallypre-defined by the document manager 60 and the individual ASPs 1040 andcan be a function of the selected job profile used for the job. In otherwords, the document manager 60 can generate billing information based onthe actual use of the MFP 90 by its operator. Advantageously, the ASPs10-40 need not spend their resources on user verification nor on thegeneration of the billing information as a function of the job performedat the MFP 90. The document manager 60 can be in charge of thesefunctions, so that the ASPs can efficiently focus on providing theirrespective services.

As an example, the document manager 60 can use a look-up table tocompute the billing information as a function of the number of pagesscanned or printed by the MFP 90, or as a function of the scanning orprinting resolution. Any of the parameters transmitted by the MFP 90 aspart of the job information can be used to generate the billinginformation. The document manager 60 can also customize the billinginformation to the operator of the MFP 90. The document manager 60 cantransmit the billing information and/or the job information to the ASP10 in a fifth transmission 500 (FIG. 2). Alternatively, if the imageprocessing device 90 is not directly connected to the network 55 but isconnected to the network 55 via a computer, the transmissions 100, 200and 400 can take place between the computer and the document manager 60.

As mentioned above, the document manager 60 can select a list of jobprofiles for the convenience of that operator. A job profile sets someor all of the parameters of the MFP 90 for a particular job and/or for aparticular user and/or for a particular ASP 10. The document manager 60can customize the job profiles to match a customer's characteristics.For example, the document manager 60 can select appropriate job profilesbased on the capability of the MFP 90, which is determined by the modelname of the MFP 90. The document manager 60 can determine whether thereis any restricted activities based on the serial number of the MFP 90.Account information from the MFP 90 can be used to determine which jobprofiles are available for a particular account. The user name enteredby the operator and sent to the document manager 60 can be used todetermine if the operator is authorized to use a particular job profile.The job profiles for the three exemplary services mentioned above caninclude the information shown in FIG. 18. Advantageously, the operatorof the MFP 90 can edit some or all parameters of the job profile via theMFP's control panel.

As mentioned above, the document manager 60 can update a job log basedon the job information received from the MFP 90. A job log is a log thatkeeps information on the job(s) performed by the MFP 90. Examples of logjobs maintained by the document manager 60 are shown in FIG. 19. Asmentioned above, the document manager 60 can use the job information togenerate billing information based on charge rates. For example, thedocument manager 60 can calculate job related charges based on theparameters shown in FIG. 20.

The document manager 60 can also determine process charges based on theselected job profile. These process charges are for process jobsperformed by the document manager 60 or by the ASP 10, as requested bythe operator of the MFP 90 when the job profile was selected. Theseprocesses can include but are not limited to OCR (optical characterrecognition), PDF conversion and document storage services. Based on thebilling information and the process charges, the ASP 10 can generate abill. The bill can either be sent directly to the customer or can besent to the document manager 60. If sent to the document manager 60, thedocument manager 60 can add a charge for its services and a commissionfor the business brought to the ASP 10 and can generate a new bill forthe customer and/or the ASP 10. The document manager 60 can also combinedifferent bills from the same ASP 10, or can combine bills fromdifferent ASPs 10-40, into a single unified bill to facilitate paymentby the user 70. Of course, while the above description focused on a MFPs90 being incorporated in the user 70, any other type of documentprocessing device can be implemented in the present invention.

FIGS. 21A-B show examples of charge matrices for generating chargesbased on job profiles. FIGS. 22A-B show examples of charge matrices forgenerating charges based on job parameters, i.e., job information. Someof the job parameters are static parameters because they remain constantduring the job. The scan resolution, the destination folder, the papersize are examples of static job parameters. Other job parameters aredynamic parameters because they vary depending on the size of the job.The number of pages, the data size, the operating time are examples ofdynamic parameters.

The document manager 60 can use predetermined thresholds for the jobparameters to generate the billing information. For example, in thisembodiment, there is no charge for a particular job parameter as long asthat job parameter stays below its threshold. These thresholds can bebased on the job profiles. The document manager 60 can vary thethresholds depending on contractual relationships with the ASPs 10-40.The document manager can vary the thresholds to create promotionalincentives and/or discounts for customers. As another example of amethod of billing provided by the present invention, the documentmanager 60 can set maximum charges, i.e., upper limits. For example, thedocument manager 60 can charge a maximum charge no matter how manydocuments were scanned or printed in a single job. Alternatively, thedocument manager 60 can set minimum charges, i.e., lower limits. Forexample, the document manager 60 can charge a minimum charge no matterhow few documents were scanned or printed in a single job. The documentmanager 60 can charge a fixed charge per job. For example, the documentmanager 60 can charge a fixed percentage (e.g., 1%) of the customercharge. That fixed charge can represent a commission charged to the ASPs1040 in consideration for the services rendered by the document manager60.

As discussed above, the ASPs 10-40 can provide storage, retrieval,printing and delivering, and/or conversion services for documents andgenerate a bill for the services as a function of the job information,the billing information and/or the services provided. The presentinvention therefore increases the flexibility in charging fees forservices rendered by the ASPs 1040 and the document manager 60. Inparticular, the present invention allows customization of the charges asa function of the customer's use of the system. Because the documentmanager 60 can charge a commission for the business brought to the ASPs1040, the present invention creates an incentive for the documentmanager 60 to generate more business for the ASPs 1040. Furthermore,because the ASPs 1040 can get paid by the amount of services provided,the present invention creates an incentive among the affiliate ASPs10-40 to compete and to provide better services. In other words, thepresent invention creates a new kind of affiliate relationship betweenASPs 10-40 and document manager 60. In this relationship, the documentmanager 60 can either bill the ASPs 10-40 for its services rendered orbill the users. In a preferred embodiment, the document manager 60 wouldbill the ASPs 10-40 for its services rendered based on abusiness-to-business relationship. The bills from the document manager60 can be sent to the ASPs 10-40 electronically, e.g., over an internettransaction, or by mail.

In addition to its advantages related to billing, the present inventionoffers the benefit of allowing efficient collecting information aboutthe individual customers of the ASPs 10-40, about their habits and/orneeds. The job information provided by the document manager 60 to theASPs 10-40 can be analyzed using conventional software or databases tolearn more about their respective customers' use of the system. The ASPscan use that information to better understand how their customersutilize their services and what are the more popular features offered bythe ASPs. That information can also be used by the ASPs 10-40 to bettermarket their respective services. Similarly, the document manager 60 canuse the job information to better understand and serve their customers.

The present invention also provides a new, more flexible means forpromoting the services of the ASPs. Conventionally, ASP could advertizetheir services by posting a banner on a popular web site. With thepresent invention, ASPs can increase their customer base merely by beingone of the choices available on the display screens of the MFP 90. Forexample, the name or logo of a particular ASP, advertising orinformation about an ASP, information about a promotion, can bedisplayed on the initial display screen 1300 shown in FIG. 13. Theoperator of the MFP 90 can select that ASP simply by touching the screenwhere the name or logo is displayed. In addition, the ASPs can advertizetheir services by posting an advertizement or promotion on the MFP 90'sdisplay screens. The targeted audience would be more apt at using theirservices than would be the audience of a web site because the MFP 90audience is already an MFP user with the capability to access the ASPsvia the document manager 60.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the user 70 and the documentmanager 60 in more detail. As shown in FIG. 3, the users 70, 72, 74 and76 can include an MFP 90, a PC 80, a local storage device 83, a server85, or a combination of them. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, theuser 70 can interact (exchange data) with the document manager 60 viathe user interaction device 65, so as to benefit from a number ofservices provided by the document manager 60. In one embodiment, theuser 70 can access the document manager 60 by providing logininformation, for example by transmitting a user-name and a password,which can be verified by user interaction device 65. For example theuser interaction device 65 can verify the user's authorization bycomparing the login information to information stored in a storagedevice 64, which can include a database. The user interaction device 65can also receive the job information, or the electronic version of ascanned document from the user.

The storage device 64 can also store documents sent or requested by theuser 70. The storage device 64 can also include job information, jobprofiles, the URL's of the affiliated ASPs, charge tables used togenerate billing information such as those shown in FIGS. 21-22. Thestorage device 64 can also include threshold values, the values forcommission and upper and lower charge limits, and the billinginformation itself. The storage device 64 can include, but is notlimited to, any type of disk including floppy disks, optical disks,CD-ROM, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, RAMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, FlashMemory, Magnetic or Optical Cards, or any type of media suitable forstoring electronic instructions and/or data. Moreover, the storagedevice 64 may include a database, i.e., a digital repository, that maybe implemented, for example, through a commercially available relationaldatabase management system (RDBMS) based on the structured querylanguage (SQL) such as ORACLE, SYBASE, INFORMIX, or MICROSOFT ACCESS,through an object-oriented database management system (ODBMS), orthrough custom database management software.

The document manager 60 can also include a charge engine 68 configuredto generate the billing information based on the job information, thecharge tables, the thresholds, the upper, the lower limits, thecommission values, etc. For example the charge engine 68 can computebillable items by multiplying the values of certain scanning parameters(part of the job information) by charges determined for each parameteras shown in FIGS. 21 and 22. After computing these billable items, thecharge engine 68 can transmit the billing information to the ASP 10and/or to the storage device 64. The charge engine 68 can also receivebills from the ASPs 1040 and generate other bills to be transmitted tothe user 70. For example, the charge engine 68 can add a commission, orother billable items for services performed by the document manager 60,to a bill received from the ASPs 1040, and/or can generate a unifiedbill using several bills from the ASPs 10-40.

The document management 60 can also include a search engine 62configured to search and access ASPs 10-40 based on data input from theuser 70, for example via user interaction device 65. The charge engine68 can generate a billable item for such search performed by the searchengine 62. The document manager 60 can also include a formatstandardizing device 66 configured to standardize the formats of thedocuments retrieved from various ASPs 10-40. For example, the formatstandardizing device 66 can re-format the documents so that they may beaccessed using a single GUI. The charge engine 68 can generate abillable item for such standardization performed by the formatstandardizing device 66.

The document manager 60 and the components thereof may be implementedusing any desired structure such as a programmed general purposecomputer 80, a server 85, a combination of a server with othercomputers, or using any desired hardware, and any desired software orfirmware.

FIGS. 4-6 show flowcharts illustrating a method of managing documentsaccording to the present invention. In one embodiment of the presentinvention, the MFP 90 performs the method illustrated in FIGS. 4A-B. Atstep 400, the MFP 90 displays a basic screen on its control panel, suchas screen 1110 of FIG. 11. If the operator requests at step 405 a“Document Mall” function, i.e., a function provided by the documentmanager 60, the MFP 90 displays a Document Mall menu at step 415, suchas screen 1200 of FIG. 12. Otherwise, the MFP 90 performs non-DocumentMall functions at step 410. The Document Mall menu prompts the operatorto enter login information, such as a login name, an ID, a password,and/or a desired ASP 10, etc. As noted above, the MFP 90 can alsoinclude in the login information the serial number, location, and/ormodel name of the MFP 90. At step 420, the MFP 90 loops until the logininformation is received form the operator. At step 425, the MFP 90transmits the login information to the document manager 60. At step 430,the MFP 90 loops until the services available and job profile lists arereceived from the document manager 60. At step 435, the MFP 90 displaysthe services available, for example using screen 1300 of FIG. 13. Atstep 440, the MFP 90 loops until the operator selects a service. At step442, the MFP 90 inquires whether the requested service is a documentscan job. If the requested service is a document scan job, the MFP 90displays at step 444 a list of job profiles available for the scanningjob, for example using screen 1400 of FIG. 14. At step 446, the MFP 90loops until the operator selects a job profile. At step 448, the MFP 90performs the scan job according to the selected job profile. At step450, the MFP 90 transmits the electronic version of the scanned documentto the selected APS 10-40 and/or to the document manager 60. At step452, the MFP 90 transmits the job information (i.e. the scanningparameters used to scan the document) to the document manager 60.

If the service request received at step 442 is not a scan job, the MFP90 inquires at step 454 (FIG. 4B) whether the requested service is anarchive job. If the requested job is a document archive job, the MFP 90displays at step 456 the job profiles available for the archive job, forexample using screen 1500 of FIG. 15. At step 458, the MFP 90 loopsuntil the operator selects a job profile. At step 460, the MFP 90performs the scanning of the document to be archived. At step 462, theMFP 90 transmits the electronic version of the scanned document to theselected APS 1040. At step 464, the MFP 90 transmits the job informationto the document manager 60.

If the service request received at step 454 is not an archive job, theMFP 90 inquires at step 466 whether the requested service is a Print &Delivery job. If the requested service is not a Print & Delivery job,the MFP 90 can go back to step 435. Alternatively, the MFP 90 caninquire whether other services (not shown) are requested. If therequested service is a Print & Delivery job, the MFP 90 displays at step468 a library menu, such as screen 1600 of FIG. 16. The MFP 90 can alsodisplay subsequent screens (not shown) to permit the user to entersearch criteria for a document search by the ASP in the selectedlibrary. After receiving the selected library at step 470 (and otherinformation such as the search criteria), the MFP 90 displays at step472 a Print & Display option menu, such as the screen 1700 of FIG. 17.Once the selected Print & Display option is received at step 474, theMFP 90 can transmit the selected library and Print & Display option tothe ASP 10-40 at step 476. If the selected Print & Display optionincludes downloading and printing a document, the MFP 90 performs thatfunction at step 478. The MFP 90 then transmits the job information tothe document manager 60 at step 480.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the document manager 60performs the method illustrated in FIG. 5. At step 500, the documentmanager 60 loops until a user 70 requests its services. Once such arequest is received, the document manager 60 loops until the logininformation is received from that user 70 at step 505. Once the logininformation is received, at step 510 the document manager 60 verifiesthe login information to determine at step 515 whether the user 70 isauthorized to use the document manager 60. If the user 70 is notauthorized, at step 520 the document manager 60 transmits a message tothe user 70 that he/she is not an authorized user 70. If the user 70 isauthorized, the document manager 60 transmits to the user the servicesand job profiles available to the user at step 525. At step 530, thedocument manager 60 connects the user 70 to the ASP 10 selected by theuser 70. The document manager 60 loops at step 535 until the jobinformation is received form the user 70. As an optional step (notshown), the document manager 60 can loop until the electronic version ofthe scanned document is received. Once the job information is received,the document manager 60 updates the job log at step 540. At step 545,the document manager 60 generates and transmits the billing informationto the selected ASP 10 based on the job information received.Alternatively, the document manager 60 can transmit job information tothe selected ASP 10. At step 550, the document manager 60 loops until abill is received from the ASP 10. Once the bill from the ASP 10 isreceived, the document manager 60 can generate and transmit a bill tothe user 70 at step 555. For example, the document manager 60 cangenerate a bill at step 555 by incorporating a commission to the billfrom the ASP 10 or by unifying several bills into a unified bill.Alternatively, the commission can be added in the billing information atstep 545 and step 555 may be a receiving step for an electronic paymentfrom the ASP.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the ASP 10 performs themethod illustrated in FIG. 6. At step 600, the ASP 10 inquires whether adocument storage request was received from an authorized user. If adocument storage request is received, the ASP 10 loops at step 610 untilthe electronic version of the document is received. At step 620, the ASP10 processes the document. For example the ASP 10 can convert and/orstore the document. At step 630, the ASP 10 loops until the billinginformation is received from the document manager 60. Once the billinginformation is received, at step 640 the ASP 10 generates and transmitsa bill based on the billing information and on the document processingperformed by the ASP. Alternatively, if a bill is received from thedocument manager 60, the ASP 10 can pay the bill to the document managerat step 640. At step 650, the ASP 10 updates its user database using thebilling information and any other information, e.g., the jobinformation, received from the document manager 60 and/or user 70. Thisinformation can be used for other purposes, such as marketing ordeveloping new services based on customers' habits and needs.

If a document storage request is not received at step 600, the ASP 10inquires at step 660 wether a Print and Delivery request was receivedfrom an authorized user. If such a request was not received, the ASP 10loops back to step 600. If a Print and Delivery request was received,the ASP 10 inquires at step 670 whether the information regarding thelibrary, the Print and Delivery options and the search criteria werereceived. Once that information is received, the ASP 10 locates thedocument from the appropriate library based on the search criteria atstep 680. At step 690, the ASP 10 prints and delivers the locateddocument to the user in accordance with the Print and Delivery optionsreceived at step 660. If the Print and Delivery option requested adownloading of the document to the user for printing at the MFP 90, theASP can download the document to the user at step 690. The ASP can thengo to step 630 to complete its cycle.

An example of an image forming apparatus (e.g., MFP 90) according to thepresent invention is illustrated in FIGS. 7-8, which show a centralprocessing unit (CPU) 331, and various elements connected to the CPU 331by an internal bus 332. The CPU 331 services multiple tasks whilemonitoring the state of the MFP 90. The elements connected to the CPU331 include a read only memory (ROM) 333, a random access memory (RAM)334, a hard disk drive (HDD) 335, a floppy disk drive (FDD) 336 capableof receiving a floppy disk 307, a communication interface (I/F) 338, anda modem unit 339. In addition, a control panel 337, a scanner unit 340,a printer unit 341, and an image processing device 342 can be connectedto the CPU 331 by the bus 332. Both the I/F 338 and the modem unit 339are connected to a communication network 300, which is further connectedto a public telephone line (not shown). MFP 90 can thus be connected toPC 80, or network 55 via the communication network 300. According to oneembodiment of the present invention, the MFP 90 can be implemented usingthe server shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,928,335, the entire content of whichis hereby incorporated by reference.

In a preferred embodiment, program code instructions for the MFP 90 maybe stored in the HDD 335 and executed by the CPU 331. These instructionsmay be information management instructions, such as instructions toprompt the operator of the MFP 90 to enter login information,instructions to transmit the login information to the document manager60, instructions to display menu screens, instructions to scan adocument according to a job profile, instructions to transmit a scandocument to the document manager 60 or to an ASP 10, and/or instructionsto collect and transmit to the document manager job information. Inother words, these instructions can be any of the instructions toperform the method steps described above with corresponding FIGS. 4A-B.These instructions permit the MFP 90 to interact with the documentmanager 60 and to control the control panel 337 and the image processingunits of the MFP 90. These instructions may also be image processinginstructions.

Alternatively, the program code instructions may be stored on the floppy307 and read by the FDD 336 and executed by the CPU 331 to carry out theinstructions. Alternatively, the program code instructions may be readfrom the floppy 307 to the HDD 335. Alternatively, the program codeinstructions may be loaded to the ROM 333. It is therefore understoodthat in the present invention any of the HHD 335, the floppy disk 307,the RAM 334, and the ROM 333 correspond to a computer readable storagemedium capable of storing program code instructions. Other devices andmedium that can store the instructions according to the presentinvention include for example magnetic disks, optical disks includingDVDs, magneto-optical disks such as MOS, and semiconductor memory cardssuch as PC cards.

In a preferred embodiment, the control panel 337 includes a displayscreen that displays menus allowing the operator of the MFP 90 tointeract with the document manager 60. The display screen 142 may be aliquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display device, or a cathode raytube (CRT) display. The display screen 142 does not have to be integralwith, or embedded in, the control panel 337, but may simply be coupledto the control panel 337 by either a wire or a wireless connection. Thecontrol panel 337 may include keys for inputting information orrequesting various operations. Alternatively, the control panel 337 andthe display screen 142 may be operated by a keyboard, a mouse, a remotecontrol, touching the display screen 142, voice recognition, oreye-movement tracking, or a combination thereof.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a device 190 that can be used as thedocument manager 60 shown in FIG. 1-3 and can implement the method shownin FIG. 5. FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of device 190. Thedevice 190 includes a central processing unit 200 (CPU) thatcommunicates with a number of other devices by way of a system bus 250.The device 190 includes a random access memory (RAM) 290 that hoststemporary storage values used in implementing the document managingfunctions of the document manager, such as verifying login information,generating and transmitting job profiles, connecting users to ASPs,managing job information, generating and transmitting billinginformation, etc.

A conventional personal computer or computer workstation with sufficientmemory and processing capability may also be configured to operate asdevice 190. In one embodiment, device 190 operates as the documentmanager 60, both receiving and transmitting information by users 70-76and ASPs 10-40. Central processing unit 200 is configured for highvolume data transmission and performing a significant number ofmathematical calculations in processing communications and databasesearches. A Pentium III microprocessor such as the 1 GHz Pentium IIImanufactured by Intel Inc. may be used for CPU 100. Other suitableprocessors include the Motorola 500 MHZ PowerPC G4 processor and theAdvanced Micro Devices 1 GHz AMD Athlon processor. Multiple processorsor workstations may be used as well.

The ROM 280 is preferably included in a semiconductor form althoughother read-only memory forms including optical media may be used to hostapplication software and temporary results. The ROM 280 connects to thesystem bus 250 for use by the CPU 200. The ROM 280 includes computerreadable instructions that, when executed by the CPU 200, perform thedifferent functions discussed above associated with billing for documentmanagement services. An input controller 260 connects to the system bus250 and provides an interface with various peripheral equipmentincluding a keyboard 261 and a pointing device such as a mouse 262. Theinput controller 260 may include different ports such as a mouse port inthe form of a PS2 port or, for example, a universal serial bus (USB)port. The keyboard port for the input controller 260 is in the form of amini-DIN port although other connectors may be used as well. The inputcontroller 260 provides sound card connections so that external jacks onthe sound card allow users to attach microphone speakers or an externalsound source. The input controller 260 also may include serial ports orparallel ports as well.

A disk controller 240 is in the form of an IDE controller and connectsvia ribbon cables to a floppy disk drive 241 as well as a hard diskdrive 242, a CD-ROM drive 251 and a compact disk 252 (FIG. 9). Inaddition, a PCI expansion slot is provided on the disk controller 240 ormother board that hosts the CPU 200. An enhanced graphic port expansionslot is provided and provides 3-D graphics with fast access to the mainmemory. The hard disk 242 may also include a CD-ROM that may be readableas well as writeable. A communication controller 230 provides aconnection, for example by way of an Ethernet connection to a network231. The network may be a connection to the public switch telephonenetwork (PSTN) 232 for providing Internet access, or a local areanetwork, wide area networks, a virtual private network (VPN), anextranet. In one embodiment, the network 231 and the connection to thecommunication controller 230 are made by way of a plurality ofconnections including a cable-modem connection, DSL connection, dial-upmodem connection, and the like that connect to the communicationcontroller 230.

An input/output controller 220 also provides connections to externalcomponents such as an external hard disk 221, printer 222, for example,by way of an RS 232 port and a SCSI bus. For more information on how theinput/output devices operate according to the present invention, suchdevices are described in part 5 of “How Computers Work”, by Ron White,Que Corporation, pps. 184-276, September, 1999, ISBN: 0-7897-2112-0, theentire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference. A displaycontroller 210 interconnects the system bus 250 to a display device,such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) 211. While a CRT is shown, a variety ofother display devices may be used such as an LCD (liquid crystaldisplay), or plasma display device.

The mechanisms and processes set forth in the present description may beimplemented using a conventional general purpose microprocessor(s) ordigital computer programmed according to the teachings of the presentspecification, as will be appreciated to those skilled in the relevantarts. Appropriate software coding can readily be prepared by skilledprogrammers based on the teachings of the present disclosure, as willalso be apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts. In particular,the computer program product for managing ASP documents according to thepresent invention can be written in a number of computer languagesincluding but not limited to C, C⁺⁺, Fortran, and Basic, as would berecognized by those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention may alsobe implemented by the preparation of applications specific integratedcircuits or by interconnecting an appropriate network of conventionalcomponent circuits, as will be readily apparent to those skilled in theart.

The present invention thus also includes a computer-based product thatmay be hosted on a storage medium and include instructions that can beused to program a computer to perform a process in accordance with thepresent invention. This storage medium can include, but is not limitedto, any type of disk including floppy disks, optical disks, CD-ROM,magneto-optical disks, ROMs, RAMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, Flash Memory,Magnetic or Optical Cards, or any type of media suitable for storingelectronic instructions.

Obviously, numerous additional modifications and variations of thepresent invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It istherefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claimsthe present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specificallydescribed herein.

1. A method performed by an information processing apparatus formanaging documents, comprising: receiving, by a communication interfaceof the information processing apparatus from an image processing device,login information via a network; retrieving, by a processor of theinformation processing apparatus, a plurality of job profiles specificto the received login information, the job profiles each identifying animage processing operation available at the image processing device andindicating a plurality of default settings for the image processingoperation; and transmitting, by the communication interface of theinformation processing apparatus, the job profiles to the imageprocessing device to be displayed.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: receiving, from the image processing device, a selection ofa job profile based on the displayed job profiles.
 3. The method ofclaim 1, wherein: the plurality of default settings for the imageprocessing operation includes at least one of a destination folder, scanresolution, color, compression method, image density, document source,paper size, scan mode and media type.
 4. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: editing, by the processor of the information processingapparatus, at least one of the of job profiles specific to the receivedlogin information by receiving setting information from the imageprocessing device.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:retrieving, by the communication interface of the information processingapparatus, a list of available application service providerscorresponding to the received login information.
 6. The method of claim1, wherein: the login information includes at least one of a username,password, identification number, account information, serial number ofthe image processing device, location of the image processing device andmodel name of the image processing device.
 7. The method of claim 1,further comprising: verifying, by the processor of the informationprocessing apparatus, that a user is authorized to access the imageprocessing device by comparing the received login information to storedauthentication data.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:retrieving, by the communication interface of the information processingapparatus, a user profile corresponding to the received logininformation.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein: the user profileincludes the job profiles specific to the received login information.10. An information processing apparatus for managing documents,comprising: a communications interface configured to receive logininformation from an image processing device via a network; a firstmodule configured to retrieve a plurality of job profiles specific tothe received login information, the job profiles each identifying animage processing operation available at the image processing device andindicating a plurality of default settings for the image processingoperation; and the communications interface configured to transmit thejob profiles to the image processing device to be displayed.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 10, wherein the communications interface isconfigured to receive, from the image processing device, a selection ofa job profile based on the displayed job profiles.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 10, wherein: the plurality of default settings for the imageprocessing operation includes at least one of a destination folder, scanresolution, color, compression method, image density, document source,paper size, scan mode and media type.
 13. The apparatus of claim 10,further comprising: a second module configured to retrieve a list ofavailable application service providers corresponding to the receivedlogin information.
 14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein: the logininformation includes at least one of a username, password,identification number, account information, serial number of the imageprocessing device, location of the image processing device and modelname of the image processing device.
 15. The apparatus of claim 10,further comprising: a second module configured to verify that a user isauthorized to access the image processing device by comparing thereceived login information to stored authentication data.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 10, further comprising: a second module configured toretrieve a user profile corresponding to the received login information.17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein: the user profile includesinformation indicating the plurality of job profiles specific to thereceived login information.
 18. An information processing device formanaging documents, comprising: means for receiving login informationfrom an image processing device via a network; means for retrieving aplurality of job profiles specific to the received login information,the job profiles each identifying an image processing operationavailable at the image processing device and indicating a plurality ofdefault settings for the image processing operation; and means fortransmitting the job profiles to the image processing device to bedisplayed.
 19. A method for managing documents at an image processingdevice, comprising: transmitting login information to a computer remotefrom the image processing device via a network; receiving a plurality ofjob profiles specific to the login information, the job profiles eachidentifying an image processing operation available at the imageprocessing device and indicating a plurality of default settings for theimage processing operation; displaying the plurality of job profiles;and setting a default setting at the image processing device inaccordance with a selected one of the plurality of job profiles.
 20. Themethod of claim 19, further comprising: selecting a first job profilefrom the plurality of job profiles.
 21. The method of claim 19, whereinsetting a default setting comprises setting at least one of adestination folder, scan resolution, color, compression method, imagedensity, document source, paper size, scan mode and media type.
 22. Themethod of claim 19, further comprising: receiving, at an interface ofthe image processing device, the login information from a user.
 23. Themethod of claim 19, wherein: the login information includes at least oneof a username, password, identification number, account information,serial number of the image processing device, location of the imageprocessing device and model name of the image processing device.
 24. Animage processing device, comprising: a communications interfaceconfigured to transmit login information to a computer remote from theimage processing device via a network; the communications interfaceconfigured to receive a plurality of job profiles specific to the logininformation, the job profiles each identifying an image processingoperation available at the image processing device and indicating aplurality of default settings for the image processing operation; adisplay configured to display the plurality of job profiles; and a firstmodule configured to set a default setting at the image processingdevice in accordance with a selected one of the plurality of jobprofiles.
 25. The device of claim 24, further comprising: an interfaceconfigured to allow a user to select a first job profile from theplurality of job profiles.
 26. The device of claim 24, wherein the firstmodule is configured to set at least one of a destination folder, scanresolution, color, compression method, image density, document source,paper size, scan mode and media type.
 27. The device of claim 24,further comprising a user interface configured to receive the logininformation from a user.
 28. The device of claim 24, wherein: the logininformation includes at least one of a username, password,identification number, account information, serial number of the imageprocessing device, location of the image processing device and modelname of the image processing device.
 29. An image processing device,comprising means for transmitting login information to a computer remotefrom the image processing device via a network; means for receiving aplurality of job profiles specific to the received login information,the job profiles each identifying an image processing operationavailable at the image processing device and indicating a plurality ofdefault settings for the image processing operation; means fordisplaying the plurality of job profiles; and means for setting adefault setting at the image processing device in accordance with aselected one of the plurality of job profiles.